Campers seeking accommodations near Melrose, Minnesota can access a variety of options within 25 miles of town. Situated in central Minnesota's Stearns County at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, this area features numerous lakes, rivers, and forests. Camping season typically runs from May through mid-October with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak months.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Carlos State Park offers excellent fishing with several species available in the 2,600-acre lake. "The fishing pier at Sinclair Lewis provides a popular activity spot for campers," while at Lake Carlos State Park Campground, "You can apparently drive your boat right into a sandy shore and dock it."
Water recreation: Several locations feature swimming beaches with varying amenities. At Sinclair Lewis City Campground, you'll find "Public beach, splash pad, bike trail, and playground adjacent" according to reviewer Tori K. The campground also offers "kayak rental, lake access with boat ramp and docks."
Trail systems: Multiple parks provide walking and biking trails for outdoor exploration. Birch Lakes State Forest features hiking trails that can become wet after rainfall. One camper noted about the trails: "We really enjoyed staying in the walk-in camp site. It gave us a lot of privacy for our dogs. The only complaint is it does tend to be a bit wet. There were hiking trails that we ended up turning around on because they got too swampy."
What Campers Like
Quieter campgrounds: For those seeking peaceful settings, Birch Lake in Birch Lakes State Forest provides a more secluded experience. "If you like quiet/off the beaten path sites, this one is awesome. Walk in sites as well as drive in. Great (but small) swimming beach, large lake with great fishing available," writes Mike K.
Convenient town access: Some campsites offer proximity to local communities. Camp S'more Campground near Long Prairie provides "a nice quiet campground" that's "less than 1/8 mile from the Long Drive in," according to reviewer Charlie S. Another camper noted this campground is ideal for "a nice regional camping spot for families with kids or folks who would like a home base for day trips."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high with campers. At Games Lake County Park, visitors appreciate the "Super clean facilities, friendly staff, and plenty of space for both tents and RVs." Another review mentions the "nice community center too" available at this campground.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. Sinclair Lewis City Campground's season runs "from May 1st to October 1st each year, weather permitting." Some campers seek early season visits to "get water in everything and make sure there are no fun surprises after wintering the campers for 5 to 6 months."
Site privacy variations: Campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy between sites. At Cedar Lake Memorial Park, "We stayed at the campground during the week, it was so relaxing and not a lot of campers out felt like we had the park to ourselves." Lake Carlos State Park offers some sites that are "very open" while others are "more wooded and more suited for tents."
Booking requirements: Reservation systems vary by location. Many campgrounds require advance booking for holiday weekends. At Birch Lake State Forest, registration is "easy & self service. They have envelopes at the entrance you just fill out, so you can use any payment method including card if you're comfortable with that."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Melrose include play equipment for children. At Sauk River City Park, families will find "a big playground, walks by the river, nice stone fire pit!" One camper noted the "large riverfront site with picnic table and fire ring provided" and mentioned additional amenities like "horseshoe pits, basketball court, sand volleyball court, disc golf, soccer fields, softball fields, picnic pavilions."
Water features for kids: Splash pads and beaches provide recreation options. At Sinclair Lewis City Campground, one visitor appreciated that "the campground has a playground, beach and splash pad. It was clean and well-kept." Another reviewer mentioned it's "a great location" with "lakefront sites available."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer reasonable rates for family outings. Saukinac Campground provides "prices for site rental ($25 a night for tent sites, and $35 a night for RV's)" that "are probably lower than many area RV campgrounds." For camping with pets, Birch Lakes State Forest offers sites at $17 per night.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary by location. Sinclair Lewis City Campground features "80 sites, 52 sites with full hookup which include water, sewer and electricity and 24 sites with water and electricity only and 4 primitive sites." Some campgrounds like Birch Lake State Forest offer no hookups for a more rustic experience.
Site size considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate larger rigs better than others. At Sinclair Lewis, sites are "long enough for us to stay hooked up for an early departure." One visitor noted their site was "a pull through grass site with water and electric. Bonus- it had a view of the lake!"
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies between campgrounds, affecting setup needs. Some campers note that at certain parks, "Site was on a bit of a slope." At Sinclair Lewis City Campground, visitors appreciate that "our site was level and the length was long enough for us to stay hooked up for an early departure."
